Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
 

Register · Log In
HomeGuideID RequestRecentFrassForumsDonateHelp
Clickable Guide
Moths Butterflies Flies Caterpillars Flies Dragonflies Flies Mantids Cockroaches Bees and Wasps Walkingsticks Earwigs Ants Termites Hoppers and Kin Hoppers and Kin Beetles True Bugs Fleas Grasshoppers and Kin Ticks Spiders Scorpions Centipedes Millipedes

Calendar
Upcoming Events

Discussion, insects and people from the 2018 BugGuide Gathering in Virginia, July 27-29

Photos of insects and people from the 2015 gathering in Wisconsin, July 10-12

Photos of insects and people from the 2014 gathering in Virginia, June 4-7.

Photos of insects and people from the 2013 gathering in Arizona, July 25-28

Photos of insects and people from the 2012 gathering in Alabama

Photos of insects and people from the 2011 gathering in Iowa

Photos from the 2010 Workshop in Grinnell, Iowa

Photos from the 2009 gathering in Washington
TaxonomyBrowse
Info
ImagesLinksBooksData
Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Antlions, Owlflies, Lacewings, Mantidflies and Allies (Neuroptera) » Lacewings, Mantidflies and Allies (Hemerobiiformia) » Green Lacewings (Chrysopidae)

Family Chrysopidae - Green Lacewings

Classification · Explanation of Names · Numbers · Identification · Habitat · Food · Life Cycle · Remarks · See Also · Print References · Internet References · Works Cited
Green Lacewing Larva Tiny empty egg sac bug Chrysopa oculata neuroptera - Nothochrysa californica some kind of lacewing? - Nothochrysa californica Neuroptera? What Species is this? (Binomial name please)
Classification
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Neuroptera (Antlions, Owlflies, Lacewings, Mantidflies and Allies)
Suborder Hemerobiiformia (Lacewings, Mantidflies and Allies)
Family Chrysopidae (Green Lacewings)
Explanation of Names
Chrysopidae Schneider 1851
see Chrysopa
Numbers
85 spp. in 14 genera* in our area(1); ca. 1,200 spp. in 75 genera and 3 subfamilies worldwide(2)
*Genera not yet in the guide: Chrysopodes (1 sp., FL, TX), Nacarina (1 sp., NC, FL), Nineta (1 sp., AZ-UT), Pimachrysa (5 spp., AZ-CA), Plesiochrysa (1 sp., FL)
Identification
Key to most NA genera provided in(3)
Soft-bodied insects with copper-colored eyes, long thread-like antennae, and lacy wings.
  
To the naked eye the wings appear hairless, but under magnification short hairs can be seen along the edges and veins. See photo and diagram of wing venation:
  
Most species are green, but some are brown, especially overwintering adults of certain species:
  
Pinned specimens turn yellowish.
Larvae are flat and elongated (alligator-like) with large jaws. Debris-carrying larvae cover themselves with bits of litter, perhaps to deter predators.
Habitat
Common in grass and weeds and on tree/shrub foliage
Food
Some adults are predators, others take liquids such as honeydew, and some feed on pollen
Larvae are predatory on other insects, especially aphids (sometimes called 'aphid lions'); will also consume larger insects, insect eggs, and pupae.
Life Cycle
Eggs are characteristically stalked. The eggs and egg-laying process is illustrated here:
  
The larvae pupate in silken cocoons that are generally attached to the underside of leaves or stems.

See illustration:
  
Click on either image to see the entire life cycle of Chrysopa oculata (Golden-eyed Lacewing)
Remarks
often give off an unpleasant odor when handled.
Some species used as biological controls
Video of larvae feeding on aphids.
Adults are crepuscular or nocturnal.
See Also
Hemerobiidae have different wing venation and usually more oval wings
Mantispidae have raptorial forelegs
Print References
Duelli et al. 2014. A New Look at Adaptive Body Coloration and Color Change in “Common Green Lacewings” of the Genus Chrysoperla (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). Annals of the Entomological Society of America, 107(2): 382-388
Internet References
Entomology and Nematology News. The Fascinating Behavior of Debris-Carrying by Green Lacewing Larvae
BioOne. Debris-Carrying in Larval Chrysopidae: Unraveling Its Evolutionary History
ToL
U. Florida. Green lacewings (of Florida) Neuroptera: Chrysopidae
Wikipedia
Works Cited
1.American Insects: A Handbook of the Insects of America North of Mexico
Ross H. Arnett. 2000. CRC Press.
2.Chrysopidae of Canada and Alaska (Ins., Neuroptera): revised checklist, new and noteworthy records,and geo-referenced localities
Garland J.A., Kevan D.K. Mce. 2007. Zootaxa 1486: 1–84.
3.The green lacewings of Florida (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). 1. Genera
Stange L.A. 2000. Fla. Dept. Agric. & Consumer Serv., Division of Plant Industry, Entomology Circular No. 400.
Contributed by Troy Bartlett on 16 February, 2004 - 12:32pm
Additional contributions by cotinis, Hannah Nendick-Mason, Stephen Cresswell, Beatriz Moisset, Robin McLeod, Bbarnd, Chuck Entz, ceiseman, v belov, Abigail Parker
Last updated 18 October, 2017 - 8:26am

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2018 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by:

Printer Friendly Version 		Terms of Use
Privacy Statement
Site Map
Contact